Responsible Procurement Program

Forest Chain of Custody

Scientific Certification Systems developed the Responsible Procurement Program (RPP) in partnership with the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) to provide a stepwise approach for hardwood manufacturers and distributors to increase their level of responsibly-sourced timber products.

Recognizing that FSC-certified wood can be difficult to obtain in both the U.S. and abroad, the program provides a time-bound, tiered structure for companies to demonstrate significant improvements in responsible wood procurement. FSC-US recognizes and supports the NWFA Responsible Procurement Program as a valid incremental approach toward socially and environmentally responsible forestry.

The program also addresses key stumbling blocks towards increasing the FSC certified supply of U.S. hardwood through the formation of the FSC Procurement Group. Group participation is a requirement of the program and will work to assist small landowners in overcoming barriers to FSC Forest Management certification.

Tiers of Certification

The NWFA Responsible Procurement Program provides progressive tiers which guide participants toward higher levels of social and environmental responsibility and performance.

Tier 1 requires an initial evaluation against the NWFA’s Responsible Procurement Standard by a third party auditor to evaluate the company’s classification and control of all sources of domestic and imported wood. Once verified, most domestically sourced products can carry the transitional U.S. Renewing Forest claim.Program participants have three years to progress from Tier 1 to Tier 2.

Tier 2 recognizes companies that source their wood from Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified forests and agree to increase their overall use of FSC-certified wood year after year. Importers advancing to Tier 2 are required to first verify the legality of all high risk sources of wood through by contracting with an NWFA-approved legality verifier.

Tier 3 is the highest level of achievement within the NWFA RPP. It recognizes companies trading more than 50% overall sales in FSC-certified product and whose non-FSC sales meet FSC Controlled Wood standards.

Two off-product promotional labels are used to recognize companies which participate in the RPP.

NWFA From U.S. Renewing Forest Transitional label NWFA Legal Transitional label

Why Choose SCS?

Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) is a leading third-party certification body with more than 25 years of experience certifying environmental and sustainability claims. SCS’ forestry certifications pre-date the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and SCS was one of the FSC’s original 3 certifiers. SCS continues today as one of the most respected certification bodies throughout the world for our integrity, scientific rigor and true independence.

With auditors throughout the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceana, SCS has certified more than 3,000 wood product companies across the globe.

SCS is focused on customer service and is able to contract with companies, deploy auditors to the field and make certification decisions faster than the competition.

The RPP Assessment Process

SCS Application and Proposal
Your organization submits a completed SCS application and SCS sends a detailed proposal and contract for approval and signature. SCS will then guide your organization through the enrollment in the RPP, including the NWFA’s RPP Application Package, which includes:
1. RPP Guidance Document, including sample forms and templates
2. RPP Program Document
Assessment Preparation
Your organization sets up systems and documentation to conform to the RPP Standard by establishing a procurement policy and documented procedures for evaluating suppliers and origins of wood supplied. All wood products shall be classified according to program source types.
On-Site Audit
At the site visit of your organization, the auditor will review the policies, procedures and records and will tour the facilities where wood products are handled. The auditor will also observe processes and conduct interviews with staff to assess training levels and on-the-ground application of written procedures.
Report and Certification Decision
After the site visit, the auditor will prepare a detailed report. The report is reviewed by a SCS and a certification recommendation is given to the NWFA RPP Board for final approval.
Certification Maintenance
Once certified, your company will be listed on the NWFA and SCS websites and you will receive further information from NWFA and SCS about the use of program trademarks. Furthermore, all participants will be expected to undergo annual surveillance assessments and will be held to time-bound requirements for moving through the three RPP Tiers.